18th May 2010, 7:07 PM
What I mean is I don't see one as more accurate than the other. They do feel different, and in all honesty, I prefer the feel of the Gamecube and Wii analog sticks. I've had a lot more control in my games with those than the N64 stick. The degredation is a big issue too. Recently I found hotels have some deal with Nintendo to play old N64 games using some network system. Their controllers replace the old stick with one that's more like the Gamecube, but is otherwise the same as an N64 controller. Anyway, this is basically a place where we simply disagree. I prefer a little less resistance in my analog stick, you prefer more. Hmm, I wonder if that could be adjusted on a single controller, like tightening or loosening a screw on the back or something...
I agree about the Z button. The shoulder buttons on the Gamecube are very comfortable, VERY nice, but let's face ergonomic reality here. Twisting your index finger to the top of the controller strains it, feeling uncomfortable. The Z button is just in a better position, and so even if it is just a rectangle, it still wins in comfort. Put the comfort of the gamecube analog triggers (and functionality for that matter) where the Z button is placed, you have perfection. Actually I've thought this ever since the Virtual Boy controller. Say what you will about the system, and a lot of it is warrented, but the controller was incredibly comfortable, not least because the L and R buttons were on the back like the Z button. I never had any issues with misfiring either, so I'm really confused as to why Nintendo went back to putting L and R on the top.
About the 3 prong design, I can understand your argument about "perfect positioning", but let's recognize something here, the analog stick was hardly perfectly erganomically placed. It's on a prong directly on the vertical, directly above the prong. It gets the job done, but isn't ideal. It's much better placed on the Gamecube. The d-pad however IS very well placed. It's true that with better middle prong design they could have that done well, but there's one issue. The L button in that setup is redundant, not really being usable as an extra button considering having to switch your hand to another prong to use it. Further, any extra features mapped to the d-pad in a game using the stick for movement become equally hard to use, needing to switch prongs to use them. There are controllers that do a very good job with compromise though. Again, I love the placement of the d-pad and analog stick on the classic controller, and the XBox 360 controller for that matter. They do a good job letting you place your thumb either way and just move your palm around to make it a good fit. That's not really true for the Playstation controller (I'll note that you shouldn't "grip" those handles on the Playstation controller, just let the ends rest in your palms, though the need to do that is exactly why the ergonomics of that controller are in bad need of a redesign).
I agree about the Z button. The shoulder buttons on the Gamecube are very comfortable, VERY nice, but let's face ergonomic reality here. Twisting your index finger to the top of the controller strains it, feeling uncomfortable. The Z button is just in a better position, and so even if it is just a rectangle, it still wins in comfort. Put the comfort of the gamecube analog triggers (and functionality for that matter) where the Z button is placed, you have perfection. Actually I've thought this ever since the Virtual Boy controller. Say what you will about the system, and a lot of it is warrented, but the controller was incredibly comfortable, not least because the L and R buttons were on the back like the Z button. I never had any issues with misfiring either, so I'm really confused as to why Nintendo went back to putting L and R on the top.
About the 3 prong design, I can understand your argument about "perfect positioning", but let's recognize something here, the analog stick was hardly perfectly erganomically placed. It's on a prong directly on the vertical, directly above the prong. It gets the job done, but isn't ideal. It's much better placed on the Gamecube. The d-pad however IS very well placed. It's true that with better middle prong design they could have that done well, but there's one issue. The L button in that setup is redundant, not really being usable as an extra button considering having to switch your hand to another prong to use it. Further, any extra features mapped to the d-pad in a game using the stick for movement become equally hard to use, needing to switch prongs to use them. There are controllers that do a very good job with compromise though. Again, I love the placement of the d-pad and analog stick on the classic controller, and the XBox 360 controller for that matter. They do a good job letting you place your thumb either way and just move your palm around to make it a good fit. That's not really true for the Playstation controller (I'll note that you shouldn't "grip" those handles on the Playstation controller, just let the ends rest in your palms, though the need to do that is exactly why the ergonomics of that controller are in bad need of a redesign).
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)